TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI  02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org

 

WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Special Town Council Meeting

Town Council Chambers

September 12, 2023

6:00 P.M.

 

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M I N U T E S

 

*Please Note:  Any matter listed on this agenda may be acted upon by the Town Council*

 

A.         Meeting called to order by the Town Council President at 6:01 P.M.

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk          

Councilman Jason Licciardi - Present

Councilman Jason Messier - Absent

Councilman Mark Bourget - Absent

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Present

Council President David Gosselin - Present

 

C.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

D.        New Business

01        Consideration of Approval to Enter into Agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for “Municipal Road and Bridge Program State Funds”; and authorization for the Town Manager to sign

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval to enter into agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for “Municipal Road and Bridge Program State Funds”; and authorization for the Town Manager to sign.                      All Ayes

 

02        Discussion/Action relative to the Arctic Gazebo

 

M. Knott states that he met with the Department of Public Works, the Parks and Recreation Department, and Public Safety and discussed necessary repairs to the gazebo.  They made the decision to close the gazebo and begin repairs.   This also serves as a cooling off period.  He feels that this isn’t a homelessness issue.  This is an illegal activity issue.  There are substance abuse and mental health issues that need to be addressed.  He suggests increasing sanitation and inspection, also adding additional trash receptacles.  He would like to relocate the meal distributions.  The dusk to dawn ordinance needs to be enforced.  Police presence needs to be increased and there needs to be a periodic review of the surveillance footage.    

 

J. Licciardi asks how long the repairs are expected to take.

 

M. Knott states that it will be a few weeks at a minimum.

 

J. Licciardi doesn’t like the fence around the gazebo.  He shares concerns about inappropriate behavior at the gazebo.  This is a safety concern.  He would not feel safe taking his family there.  People need to be held responsible for their actions.

 

M. Williamson agrees that safety is a concern.  She suggests a nicer fence, and a potential permit process for use of the gazebo.  Police have made a number of visits and arrests at the gazebo.  She notes Title 23 prevents the police from arresting citizens who are inebriated in public. 

 

D. Gosselin also notes Title 23, Section A.  He states that there are nip bottles littering the gazebo.  There needs to be inspections by the Police and Public Safety.  No trespass orders should be given to people who deface public property. 

 

M. Williamson asks if there has been any increase in activity anywhere else in town since the gazebo has been closed.

 

M. Knott has not heard of any.

 

D. Gosselin states that the plan is to eventually re-open the gazebo.  There needs to be more spot checks and monitoring of the cameras. 

 

J. Licciardi suggests scheduled visits by the Parks and Recreation department. 

 

Tom Oates, of 6 Colonial Way, suggests no smoking signs.  There are cigarette butts all over the property, as well as needles and nip bottles.  He shares concerns with the vandalism and harassment of people.  He supports paying the police overtime to protect the citizens. 

 

Jerry Tellier, of 136 Burlingame Road, states that in 1999 the Redevelopment Commission leveled the majestic building out of safety concerns.  They put up a gazebo for the residents to enjoy.  The ordinance does not allow people to sleep there.  He does not care for the fence that was put up, but he commends the Council for doing it.   They need a cooling off period.  He agrees that there needs to be more enforcement.  The gazebo should be the pride of Arctic. 

 

Vanessa Gamon, is a homeless resident of Arctic.  She feels there needs to be a healthy place for the homeless to go and receive meals, help with employment, and housing.  She suggest a community center. 

 

Stacey Levin, of 567 Smithfield Road, provides a lot of services at the gazebo.  She is passionate about helping people.  Services are needed for housing and meals.   She suggests a community center for people to go for services. 

 

D. Gosselin states that the gazebo is not designed as a hub to provide services. 

 

Stacey Levin states that this will not end without additional housing.

 

Ron Coutro states that West Warwick has gone down hill the last 4-5 years.  His property has been robbed five times.  He walks the bike path and has found needles.  People need to respect Town property.  He is concerned with the people living in their car on Brookside Avenue. 

 

T. Oates states that people are coming in on buses from Providence. 

 

Alan Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, states that the gazebo was built for the residents of the town.  Forty people are ruining it for the other 30,000 residents.  Business owners shouldn’t have to incur the expense of getting restraining orders.  He suggests increasing patrols in Arctic.  He shares concerns with the proposal at 183 Washington Street.  He asks how much the cleanup of the gazebo cost the Town during a holiday weekend, and how much the fence cost.  He notes that no one from the state legislature is present at the meeting.  The taxpayers deserve representation. 

 

Jeff Rouselle, of 41 Sweet Briar Lane, owns Brookside Package Store.  He feels there needs to be a stronger police presence.  The gazebo was not meant for this.  He would like to see more patrols. 

 

Kevin O’Connell, of 24 Sydney Street, is a former police officer.  He feels the police need to keep the residents safe. 

 

John Read, of 62 Andrew’s Avenue, suggests that the Town gets together with the advocates to come up with a new location or solution. 

 

Paul Villa, of Janet Drive, states that dignity is a two way street.  There is IV drug use going on in a public park.  This could be a liability to the town. 

 

Derek Read, of 62 Andrew’s Avenue, blames Thundermist for enabling this behavior.  He will not let his son walk on the bike path or through Arctic. 

 

Sarah Edwards, of 37 Trinton Street, states that the community needs to come together to provide help.  No one wants to be homeless.  The community needs to wrap around these people. 

 

Andrea Smith, of Help the Homeless RI, has been serving the community since 2014.  No meals have been served at the gazebo since March of this year.  She is grateful to Thrive for stepping up to help.  She begs the Town to work with them to make a better community for everyone.

 

Tom Oates states that the advocates need to come up with a better place to provide services.

 

J. Licciardi suggests that the advocates speak with the people they are advocating for.

 

Heather Coyer, a former navigator for the West Warwick Police Department, states that the town needs to come together to work on this issue. 

 

 

E.         Adjournment

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 P.M.

                        All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk